Bioassay Guided Chromatographic Isolation Of Lactation Inducing Agent From Hippocratea Obtusifolia

The powdered leaves of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was percolated with ethanol and then sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled HO1, HO2, HO3, and HO4, with the ethanolic extract labeled HO. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity against lactation inducement, and the chloroform extract labeled HO2 was found to be the most active. The HO2 extract was then subjected to column and thin layer chromatography with similar fractions pooled together. The pooled fractions were then subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement, and the fraction labeled HO2-13 was found to be the most active, this was subsequently subjected to column and thin layer chromatography with similar fractions pooled together. The pooled fractions were again subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement, and the fraction labeled HO2-13-111 was found to be the most active. The fraction HO2-13-111 was subjected spectroscopic analysis, using Infrared, Mass spectroscopy, and both 1H and 13C NMR data obtained. The structure of the compound present in fraction HO2-13-111 was then elucidated based on the obtained data.Keywords: Force-Feeding, Lactation, Progesterone, Thin-Layer Column Chromatography

Extraction and Configuration of an Isolate from Chrysanthellum Indicum

Bioactivity guided column chromatography of the ethylacetate fraction of the plant chrysanthellum indicum led to the isolation of a white chrystaline compound which melted at a temperature range of (257-259°C) with decomposition 1H nmr, 13C nmr, DEPT and IR spectroscopic techniques were use to analyzed and propose a steroidal structure for the compound.Keywords: Bioactivity, column chromatography, isolation, spectroscopic technique

Anti-Plasmodium Falciparum Activity of Extracts from Dendranthema Indicum

Malaria being a major health problem, demands for search for alternative anti-malaria drugs. Dendrathema indicum/ Dunkufea plant used in the treatment of malaria in the northern part of Nigeria was evaluated for activity against Plasmodium falciparum. The crude ethanol extract of the plant, n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate and last residue fractions obtained by maceration of the crude ethanol extract were screened for activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the last residue and hexane fraction did not inhibit significantly even at a concentration of 200μg/ml, the ethyl acetate fraction obtained after maceration was the most active fraction. From the result of the photochemical analysis all the common classes of secondary metabolites tested were present in the plant except alkaloid.Keywords: Anti-malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, maceration, Dendranthema indicu

Mosquito repellent activity of the leaf extracts of Lawsonia inermis (l)

The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Lawsonia inermis (commonly known as lalle in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether,  chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled LI1, LI2, LI3, and LI4, with the ethanolic extract labeled LI, and 12.5% and 25% of the test extracts were tested for repellency against Anopheles gambiae, and the repellent activity was assessed using the human-bait technique. Five volunteers participated in the laboratory tests, one each for the extracts. The chloroform extract labeled LI1-02 was found to be the most active, (100% repellency), while the extract labeled LI1-03 (25%) recorded the least activity (15.4%). It can be concluded that the chloroform extract labeled LI1-02 is responsible for repellent activity of Lawsonia inermis.Keywords: Repellency, Anopheles gambiae, human-bait technique, Lawsonia inermis extracts

Phytochemical Screening and Mosquito Repellent Activity of the Stem Bark Extracts of Euphorbia Balsamifera (Ait)

The phytochemical screening of extracts from Euphorbia balsamifera was carried out, and the results revealed that the stem bark contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and sterols. The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Euphorbia balsamifera (commonly known as Ayyara in Hausa) was sequentially partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled EB1, EB2, EB3, and EB4, with the ethanolic extract labeled EB. The extracts, 12.5% and 25% w/v, were tested for repellency against Anopheles gambiae, and the repellent activity was assessed using the human-bait technique. Five volunteers participated in the laboratory tests to ascertain the repellent activity of the extracts, and each volunteer was test with one extract, with each test repeated in triplicate. The chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 was found to be the most active, (97.2% and 100% repellency), while the extract labeled EB1-03 recorded the least activity of 32.4% and 21.6%. It can be concluded that the chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 is responsible for repellent activity of Euphorbia balsamifera.Keywords: Anopheles gambiae, Euphorbia balsamifera extracts, Human-bait technique, Phytochemicals, Repellenc

Effect of Hippocratea Obtusifolia Extracts on Lactation Inducement

The crude extract of the leaves and stalk of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement in 24 female guinea pigs. The experimental animals with average weight of 200g were randomly grouped into six; the first five groups A, B, C, D and E were force-fed with feeds mixed with a measured portion of the extract, while the last group was force-fed with food mixed with distilled water only serving as control. The chloroform extract was found to be the only active extract, and this confirms the use of Hippocratea obtusifolia in lactation inducement.Keywords: Lactation, Hippocratea obtusifolia, force-fed, galactagogue, endogastric tub

Prospects in the use of Ficus polita as a local ruminant feed

The proximate as well as the mineral compositions of Ficus polita and some anti nutritional factors were determined in order to justify the local use of this plant as a feedstuff especially for ruminant animals and to establish the possible wide scale utilization of this plant in the feed industry. The proximate, mineral and phytonutrient compositions of the plant were determined using standard methods of analysis. The plant was found to contain reasonable amounts of both macro and micro minerals required by farm animals for healthy growth. The caloric value of F. polita was also compatible with those of most tubers, roots and green leaves of many plant feeding stuffs. Also, the anti nutritional factors of the plant were found to be low. Thus, this plant, if well studied, could be used as an alternativeto the highly prized grains and legumes required in human nutrition

Multiple acute aortic dissection in a young adult.

The diagnosis of aortic dissection in a young adult in the absence of atherosclerosis or prior history of trauma is extremely rare. The presence of more than one arterial dissection site in such a patient is even more unheard of. We highlight a case of spontaneous multiple acute arterial dissections occurring in a 32-year-old male. Stanford B aortic dissection and a separate dissection extending from the bifurcation of the right common iliac artery to the right common femoral artery was noted on computed tomographic angiography (CTA). A small aneurysm of the right subclavian artery was also noted. A two-stage hybrid procedure involving a combination of open and endovascular surgery was employed. The rarity and lethality of this condition warrants a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis and prompt intervention

Natural coagulates for wastewater treatment; a review for application and mechanism

The increase of water demand and wastewater generation is among the global concerns in the world. The less effective management of water sources leads to serious consequences, the direct disposal of untreated wastewater is associated with the environmental pollution, elimination of aquatic life and the spread of deadly epidemics. The flocculation process is one of the most important stages in water and wastewater treatment plants, wherein this phase the plankton, colloidal particles, and pollutants are precipitated and removed. Two major types of coagulants are used in the flocculation process included the chemical and natural coagulants. Many studies have been performed to optimize the flocculation process while most of these studies have confirmed the hazardous effects of chemical coagulants utilization on the ecosystem. This chapter reviews a summary of the coagulation/flocculation processes using natural coagulants as well as reviews one of the most effective natural methods of water and wastewater treatment

Smaller self-inflating bags produce greater guideline consistent ventilation in simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suboptimal bag ventilation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has demonstrated detrimental physiological outcomes for cardiac arrest patients. In light of recent guideline changes for resuscitation, there is a need to identify the efficacy of bag ventilation by prehospital care providers. The objective of this study was to evaluate bag ventilation in relation to operator ability to achieve guideline consistent ventilation rate, tidal volume and minute volume when using two different capacity self-inflating bags in an undergraduate paramedic cohort.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An experimental study using a mechanical lung model and a simulated adult cardiac arrest to assess the ventilation ability of third year Monash University undergraduate paramedic students. Participants were instructed to ventilate using 1600 ml and 1000 ml bags for a length of two minutes at the correct rate and tidal volume for a patient undergoing CPR with an advanced airway. Ventilation rate and tidal volume were recorded using an analogue scale with mean values calculated. Ethics approval was granted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Suboptimal ventilation with the use of conventional 1600 ml bag was common, with 77% and 97% of participants unable to achieve guideline consistent ventilation rates and tidal volumes respectively. Reduced levels of suboptimal ventilation arouse from the use of the smaller bag with a 27% reduction in suboptimal tidal volumes (p = 0.015) and 23% reduction in suboptimal minute volumes (p = 0.045).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Smaller self-inflating bags reduce the incidence of suboptimal tidal volumes and minute volumes and produce greater guideline consistent results for cardiac arrest patients.</p